WJM says merger will lead to stronger position

LAW firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie is merging with the smaller BMK Wilson

All five partners and 16 employees from BMK Wilson’s Glasgow and Dunblane offices will be joining WJM’s Glasgow office, representing an 18 per cent increase in head count for the larger firm.

The Dunblane office will be known as Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP incorporating Barty’s.

The move follows a similar merger with McArthur & Co in Inverness, which was formally completed a year ago. While that merger was identified by WMJ as a way to expand into the Highlands, the Glasgow-based based firm said the deal with BMK would help facilitate the implementation of its plan to strengthen and grow in private client, commercial property, corporate and dispute resolution.

WJM chief executive Liam Entwistle says this latest merger is part of the firm’s planned strategic expansion. “WJM and BMK Wilson are both firms with an excellent heritage and pedigree. The merged firm will build on that for the benefit of all of its clients, strengthening its position in key strategic areas.

“Together we will continue to provide high quality legal services, combining high levels of technical and sector specific expertise with local knowledge and networks. We are jointly committed to helping our clients achieve what they need for themselves, their families and their businesses.”

BMK Wilson was formed in 2002 when three partners and a consultant from the former firm of John Wilson & Co joined the firm of Borland Montgomerie Keyden, which itself was an amalgamation of three of Glasgow’s longest established firms, Borland Johnston & Orr, Montgomerie Flemings Fyfe Maclean & Co. and Keyden Strang & Co.

After the merger has completed, WJM said that it would have 28 partners, 56 fee earners and 52 employees across four offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunblane and Inverness.

Last week, another Glagsow firm Mitchells Roberton, merged with city solicitors Adie Hunter.